Keep Robert Griffin III Healthy

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY SportsThe Redskins will only go as far as a healthy RG3 takes him.

It's not to say that Shanahan intended to get Robert Griffin III hurt, but in calling 70 designed run plays for Griffin—as he did in 2012, according to John Keim of The Washington Post—he can be faulted for consistently putting the franchise quarterback in harm's way.

With a slight build, and two ACL injuries already under his belt, Griffin literally may be on his last leg.

While scrambles will probably always be a part of Griffin's game, the elimination of the zone-read would increase the odds that Griffin doesn't become the new version of Michael Vick.

Having a valuable commodity in Kirk Cousins as its backup quarterback, enacting this more cautious approach would allow Washington to deal Cousins for some much needed draft capital.

Have a Healthy Relationship with Griffin

Near the end of his swan song season in Washington, Shanahan opened up about his relationship with Griffin.

"I was his coach, his head football coach, and not necessarily his best friend, don't need to be his best friend," Shanahan said, according to FoxSports.com.

While Shanahan didn't need to be best friends with Griffin to get the most out of him, respect is something that every coach must demand. And judging from the veiled shots the duo threw at each other throughout their time together, Shanahan certainly didn't have Griffin's.

With NFL players being creatures of habit, the constant questions Redskins players had to answer about the tumultuous relationship of their coach and quarterback had to serve as a distraction.

The type of turmoil that engulfed Washington in 2013 simply isn't conducive to winning.

A look at past relationships between Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez—heck, even Jeff Fisher and Vince Young—and this much is evident.

With Ryan being the only coaching survivor of these failed tandems, it's safe to say that Gruden's job security will be tied to his relationship to Griffin.

Let Jim Haslett Run the Defense

Alex Brandon/Associated PressWith Shanahan gone, Haslett has the freedom to run Washington's defense.

Despite earning his keep as an offensive mind, Shanahan was heavily involved in a Redskins defense that was supposed to be directed by Jim Haslett. The results weren't pretty.

Washington finished no better than 21st in scoring defense in the four seasons under Shanahan.

Via The Washington Post, newly re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall acknowledged to ESPN 980 that Haslett was indeed held back by Shanahan:

I’m excited after talking to Haslett about the possibility of him being able to just run his defense without anybody in his ear telling him what to call or what not to call. No disrespect to Mike Shanahan, he’s a great coach, but he liked to micromanage things. He kind of liked his hands on everything.

Judging from his decision to retain Haslett, Gruden believes that Haslett can indeed turn around Washington's defense.

Boasting a top-10 offense the past two seasons, an improvement on defense could vault Washington into playoff contention in Gruden's inaugural season.